Lexi Webster
Heart disease is Australia's leading cause of death, killing more people than any other disease. In 2023, ischaemic heart disease was the leading cause of death in Australia, with coronary heart disease being the most common form of heart disease. Heart disease causes more than 18,500 deaths annually, with more than 60% of these being males. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is an umbrella term for conditions that affect the heart or blood vessels, including heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure. CVD kills 17.9 million people worldwide each year, and in Australia, it disproportionately affects Indigenous Australians, with hospitalisation rates for rheumatic heart disease being more than six times higher in Indigenous people than in non-Indigenous people.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is heart disease the number one killer in Australia? | Yes |
| Number of deaths in 2023 | 183,131 |
| Top 5 causes of death in 2023 | Ischaemic heart disease, diabetes, chronic lower respiratory diseases, lung cancer, intentional self-harm |
| Number of deaths caused by heart disease | 18,500+ |
| Percentage of deaths caused by heart disease | 10% |
| Number of Australians with heart disease | 1 million+ |
| Percentage of Australians with heart disease | 6% |
| Percentage of deaths caused by CVD | 32% |
| Percentage of deaths caused by CVD in Australia | 27% |
| Percentage of deaths caused by heart disease among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples | Over 10% |
| Heart disease death rate among males | 12% |
| Heart disease death rate among females | 6% |
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What You'll Learn
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in Australia
According to the Heart Research Institute (HRI), these statistics highlight the impact and burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and the importance of research in this area. Heart disease is a broad term for conditions that affect the heart or blood vessels, including coronary heart disease (blocked arteries), heart attack, stroke, and heart failure. It is a highly preventable condition, with major risk factors including smoking, high blood pressure, obesity, insufficient physical activity, and diabetes.
In 2021, coronary heart disease was the leading cause of death for males in Australia, accounting for 12% of deaths, with death rates twice as high for males as for females. Overall, one in six Australians live with CVD, and over 6% of adults have one or more CVD-related conditions. The prevalence of CVD has been decreasing over time due to research and advancements in risk factors, medications, and interventions.
Heart disease disproportionately affects Indigenous Australians, who are almost twice as likely to die from CVD as non-Indigenous Australians. Additionally, hospitalisation rates for rheumatic heart disease are more than six times higher in Indigenous populations.
The Australian government is addressing this critical health issue through various initiatives. They are funding medical research, supporting the development of tools for early stroke diagnosis, and partnering with organisations like the Heart Foundation and Stroke Foundation to implement a National Strategic Action Plan for Heart Disease and Stroke.
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Cardiovascular disease (CVD) includes heart attack, stroke and heart failure
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is an umbrella term for conditions that affect the heart or blood vessels. CVD includes coronary heart disease (blocked arteries), along with heart attack, stroke, and heart failure. It is the leading cause of death in Australia, killing more than 18,500 people each year, with males accounting for over 60% of these deaths.
Heart disease has been the leading cause of death in Australia since data collection began in 1968. It is a highly preventable condition, with risk factors including smoking, high blood pressure, obesity, insufficient physical activity, and diabetes. Despite this, it remains the number one killer in Australia and worldwide.
Heart attack, stroke, and heart failure are all serious cardiovascular events. A heart attack occurs when there is a sudden interruption of blood supply to the heart, often due to blocked arteries. Stroke is also caused by a sudden interruption of blood supply, but to the brain rather than the heart. Heart failure, on the other hand, occurs when the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs and is usually associated with other heart problems such as coronary heart disease or high blood pressure.
The Australian government is addressing CVD through various initiatives and funding. The Medicare Benefits Schedule helps pay for patient care, including Chronic Disease Management plans and Heart Health Checks. The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme subsidises medications for vascular conditions. Additionally, the government funds medical research into CVD through organisations like the Medical Research Future Fund and the National Health and Medical Research Council.
CVD disproportionately affects certain groups in Australia. Indigenous Australians are almost twice as likely to die from CVD as non-Indigenous Australians, and it is the leading cause of death among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Hospitalisation rates for rheumatic heart disease are more than six times higher in Indigenous Australians. Additionally, people in lower socioeconomic groups and those living in regional and remote areas generally have higher death rates from CVD.
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Coronary heart disease is the most common type of heart disease
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in Australia, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). It accounts for more than 18,500 deaths annually, with males accounting for more than 60% of these. Furthermore, heart disease is the leading cause of death among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, causing over 10% of deaths.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a broad term for conditions affecting the heart or blood vessels. Coronary heart disease, a type of CVD, occurs when the arteries of the heart cannot deliver enough oxygen-rich blood to the heart due to blocked or narrowed arteries. Coronary microvascular disease, a form of coronary heart disease, occurs when blood flow into the tiny arteries within the heart muscle is blocked due to damage to the inner walls of the heart's small blood vessels. Coronary heart disease is the most common type of heart disease, killing 371,506 people in 2022.
In Australia, ischaemic heart disease was the leading cause of death in 2023, with dementia being the second leading cause. The gap between the two has narrowed over time, with only 237 deaths separating them in 2023. While the overall mortality rate in Australia stabilised in 2023, it was still higher than expected.
The prevalence of CVD in Australia has been decreasing over time, thanks to research into risk factors, medications, and interventions. However, CVD continues to pose a serious threat, and it is important for Australians to be aware of the signs of heart attack and stroke. While heart disease and stroke were among the leading causes of death, the rate of death has decreased in the past 10 years due to improved preventatives and treatments for CVD.
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Heart disease disproportionately affects Indigenous Australians
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in Australia, accounting for more than 18,500 deaths annually, with males accounting for more than 60% of these deaths. It has been the leading cause of death in the country since data was first collected in 1968.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is an umbrella term for conditions that affect the heart or blood vessels, including coronary heart disease, heart attack, stroke, and heart failure. CVD disproportionately affects Indigenous Australians. It is the leading cause of death among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, causing over one in ten deaths. Indigenous Australians are almost twice as likely to die from CVD as non-Indigenous Australians. Hospitalization rates for rheumatic heart disease are more than six times higher among Indigenous Australians compared to their non-Indigenous counterparts.
The high rates of CVD among Indigenous Australians are influenced by various factors. Firstly, there are socioeconomic disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Indigenous Australians are more likely to face unemployment, have lower incomes, and attain lower education levels. These factors contribute to a higher risk of developing CVD. Additionally, Indigenous Australians experience higher rates of mental illness, substance use, and involvement with the justice system during adolescence, which can have long-term impacts on their health and increase their risk of developing CVD in adulthood.
The median age of Indigenous Australians is 20 years, compared to 37 years for non-Indigenous Australians. This younger demographic profile contributes to the higher burden of disease among Indigenous communities, as CVD can occur 10 to 20 years earlier among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Addressing the disparities in CVD rates between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians requires a multifaceted approach. Strategic advocacy, increasing the representation of Indigenous Australians in health services, improving communication between healthcare providers, and ensuring culturally sensitive and integrated programs are some of the recommended actions to reduce the impact of CVD on Indigenous communities.
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Heart disease is preventable
Heart disease is Australia's number one killer, and it has been since data was first collected in 1968. It is also the leading cause of death globally. In 2023, ischaemic heart disease was the leading cause of death in Australia, accounting for more than 18,500 deaths, with males making up over 60% of these fatalities.
However, heart disease is preventable. There are several ways to reduce your risk of developing heart disease. Firstly, maintaining a healthy diet is crucial. This includes eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, consuming high-fibre foods, and limiting your intake of salt, sugar, saturated fat, and processed foods. Additionally, it is important to control your weight and stay physically active. Any aerobic exercise, such as walking, swimming, or dancing, is beneficial for your heart health.
Another critical factor in preventing heart disease is not smoking. Smoking is a major risk factor for developing atherosclerosis, or the furring of the arteries. If you are a smoker, quitting can significantly reduce your risk of heart disease. It is also important to monitor and control your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. This can be achieved through a healthy diet and regular exercise, as well as taking prescribed medications if necessary.
Finally, it is essential to manage any existing medical conditions that can increase the risk of heart disease, such as diabetes. If you have diabetes, carefully monitor your blood sugar levels and work with your healthcare team to control them. Additionally, high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels can be managed with medication and lifestyle changes, as recommended by your doctor. By adopting these preventative measures, you can significantly reduce your risk of developing heart disease.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, heart disease is the number one killer in Australia, accounting for more than 18,500 (one in every 10) deaths annually.
Over 1 million Australians are living with heart disease. About 1.2 million Australians over 18 years of age suffer from one or more heart-related conditions requiring hospitalization.
Symptoms of heart disease include angina (chest pain or discomfort following exercise), dizziness, shortness of breath, fatigue, swollen legs, rapid heartbeat, and stroke, among others.
Risk factors for heart disease include smoking, high blood pressure, obesity, insufficient physical activity, and diabetes. These risk factors are preventable, and it is important for Australians to be aware of them to reduce the impact and burden of heart disease.
